Daytime running lights

ThePackage · 10-08-2009, 10:16 AM

My Prius is an '06 and one of the few disappointments I have is the lack of daytime running lights. There have been several posts describing how to convert the existing fog lights to DRL's. As a senior citizen I was not about to tackle those mods.
Instead, I heard about the modification supplied by www.webelectricproducts.com It has been 3 months since I installed the modification and not only was the install easy (no climbing under the dash or car) but the results exceeded my expectations. The kit trurns the directional lights into all on whenever the parking lights or headlights are NOT on. It works GREAT. I chose the "synchronizing option" during the install. It took me about an hour to do it using only a pair of plyers, wire cutter and stripper. Believe me it was SIMPLE and I'm sure a younger person would take much less time. There was nothing difficult about it as the instructions were VERY clear. After 3 months it is working fine and I get compliments from other Prius owners all the time.

PriusLewis · 10-08-2009, 10:37 AM

Another approach some of us use is to simply leave the lights on all the time, since the Prius will automatically turn them off when you shut down and open the door. The only drawback is you might need to turn the dash lights up full in the day, and turn them down at night (which is what I do). Otherwise it provides DRLs (full lighting full time, in fact).

ThePackage · 10-09-2009, 08:52 AM

You bet. It is the alternative I used for three years. However with all the problems with the HID system, I wanted an alternative. This alternative was just the ticket and a price of less than $50 was the icing on the cake.

BAllanJ · 10-09-2009, 05:19 PM

We in Canada get drl as standard (required, actually) but that may be why we don't have hid. (a situation I'm lovin more and more as I read the threads on hid issues and costs). I do wish the DRLs would turn off when I'm in park... when waiting in the car for someone, I'd prefer to be in ON than ACCESSORY, but would rather not waste energy on lights .

maseace · 10-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Does this mod keep the turn signal bulbs on full brightness? I'm a little worried that the housings could melt since they are not designed for the bulb to be constantly on. I saw a Scion OEM tail light display demo at a car show that had a hole melted in the turn signal light plastic from being on all day. Have you checked if it gets hot after a long drive with DRLs on?

BAllanJ · 10-10-2009, 09:08 AM

I could go out and check... but aren't the front turn signal lights on all the time when the headlights are on? I don't think overheating is an issue.

maseace · 10-12-2009, 02:14 AM

Only the small 5-Watt side marker bulbs are on with the headlights, and they are too small and dim to be DRLs. The DRL kit from the referenced website turns on the front turn signals, which are not normally on long enough to overheat the plastic housings.

ThePackage · 10-12-2009, 09:25 AM

After 3 plus months of use, I have not noticed any deterioration of the housing or bulb socket and yes they are at full brightness when on. I think the look is shap and very effective as a safety item. Naturally, the system turns them off when either the parking lights or headlights are turned on.

maseace · 10-12-2009, 03:52 PM

Good news, maybe I'll get them too.

10-08-2009, 10:16 AM	#1
ThePackage Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Daytime running lights My Prius is an '06 and one of the few disappointments I have is the lack of daytime running lights. There have been several posts describing how to convert the existing fog lights to DRL's. As a senior citizen I was not about to tackle those mods. Instead, I heard about the modification supplied by www.webelectricproducts.com It has been 3 months since I installed the modification and not only was the install easy (no climbing under the dash or car) but the results exceeded my expectations. The kit trurns the directional lights into all on whenever the parking lights or headlights are NOT on. It works GREAT. I chose the "synchronizing option" during the install. It took me about an hour to do it using only a pair of plyers, wire cutter and stripper. Believe me it was SIMPLE and I'm sure a younger person would take much less time. There was nothing difficult about it as the instructions were VERY clear. After 3 months it is working fine and I get compliments from other Prius owners all the time.

10-08-2009, 10:37 AM	#2
PriusLewis Management Scientist Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Denver Metro Posts: 655 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 91 Thanked 43 Times in 36 Posts Friends: 5	Re: Daytime running lights Another approach some of us use is to simply leave the lights on all the time, since the Prius will automatically turn them off when you shut down and open the door. The only drawback is you might need to turn the dash lights up full in the day, and turn them down at night (which is what I do). Otherwise it provides DRLs (full lighting full time, in fact).

10-09-2009, 08:52 AM	#3
ThePackage Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights You bet. It is the alternative I used for three years. However with all the problems with the HID system, I wanted an alternative. This alternative was just the ticket and a price of less than $50 was the icing on the cake.

10-09-2009, 05:19 PM	#4
BAllanJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kingston Ontario Posts: 188 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: C Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights We in Canada get drl as standard (required, actually) but that may be why we don't have hid. (a situation I'm lovin more and more as I read the threads on hid issues and costs). I do wish the DRLs would turn off when I'm in park... when waiting in the car for someone, I'd prefer to be in ON than ACCESSORY, but would rather not waste energy on lights .

10-10-2009, 08:32 AM	#5
maseace Prius enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 177 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights Does this mod keep the turn signal bulbs on full brightness? I'm a little worried that the housings could melt since they are not designed for the bulb to be constantly on. I saw a Scion OEM tail light display demo at a car show that had a hole melted in the turn signal light plastic from being on all day. Have you checked if it gets hot after a long drive with DRLs on?

10-10-2009, 09:08 AM	#6
BAllanJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kingston Ontario Posts: 188 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: C Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights I could go out and check... but aren't the front turn signal lights on all the time when the headlights are on? I don't think overheating is an issue.

10-12-2009, 02:14 AM	#7
maseace Prius enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 177 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights Only the small 5-Watt side marker bulbs are on with the headlights, and they are too small and dim to be DRLs. The DRL kit from the referenced website turns on the front turn signals, which are not normally on long enough to overheat the plastic housings.

10-12-2009, 09:25 AM	#8
ThePackage Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights After 3 plus months of use, I have not noticed any deterioration of the housing or bulb socket and yes they are at full brightness when on. I think the look is shap and very effective as a safety item. Naturally, the system turns them off when either the parking lights or headlights are turned on.

10-12-2009, 03:52 PM	#9
maseace Prius enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 177 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Daytime running lights Good news, maybe I'll get them too.

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